Hair curler



June 8, 1943 H. P. R. soMMERs 2,321,43o3- HAIR CURLER` Filed Nov. 25, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 ,/7 INVENToR.

June 8, 1943. H. P. R. soMMERs 2,321,433

HAIR CURLER Filed Nov. 25, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES,` PATENT OFFICE 2,321,433 HAIR CURLER Henry P. R. Sommers, Wellesley, Mass. Application November 25, 1942, serial No. 466,890

14 Claims. (Cl'. 132-33) This invention relates to hair curlers and more particularly to implements for applying and securing pin curls in womens hair in the preparation of the coiffure. l Y

The general object of the invention is to provide novel and improved implements of the type described which are of simple construction, easy to manipulate, and economical in manufacture.

In forming and setting pin curls for the creation of practically any style of coiffure, the hair is wetted with Water or any suitable hair dressing solution, the selected areas of the head are blocked out in a number of oblong or square sections and the strand of hair from each section is wound up to form a flat spiral and then secured in proper position against the scalp by means of a hair pin or bobby pin. The hair remains thus until it has dried and then it is dressed out by brushing or combing into the soft springy waves, rolls, and curls of the nishedcoiiure.

Most commonly, the pin curls are Wound and twisted using only the lingers but this is a slow procedure and depends too much upon the skill of the operator for consistently good results. On the other hand, it has been proposed to use various mechanical devices for forming the curls, but these have involved complicated instrumentalities including pivoted levers or clamps, and numerous other unnecessary and expensive features.

The present invention, in its preferred embodi ment, contemplates the provision of a curler rod preferably of polygonal or scalloped cross section and made of wood, metal, plastic or other suitable material. Upon one side of the implement there is formed a diagonal slot into which the end of a strand of hair is placed before it is Wound upon the curler. A simple leaf spring device is disposed within the slot to apply resilient pressure to the strand to retain it in place during the winding operation and the liuted or prismatic shape of the body portion of the implement aids in preventing the hair from slipping during the winding of the curl.

The curler is'preferably made double-ended, that is, a prismatic portion is provided upon each side of the mid-point and each of such operative portions is provided Ywith a retaining slot and spring. The end portions are of diierent diameters whereby large and small curls may be wound by the same implement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel retaining means for locking the curl in its set condition after it has been wound and removed from the curler. This phase of the invention involves cooperating features on both the re taining or lock means and the curling implement. The retaining means is also adapted for use in securing curls which have been wound by hand.

Other objects and features of novelty will be- Y come apparent from the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a hair curling implement embodying the principles of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the implement; l

Figure `3 is a transverse sectional View taken immediately below the inner end of the clamping spring in Figure 2; e l Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an internal intermediate portion of the device;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of the curler; Y I Figures 6 and 7 are views showing successive steps in the formation of a curl by means of the no vel implement; Y

Figure 8 is a view showing a number of completed pin curls forming Vparts of a feminine coiffure, and applied to the hairA by means of the curler;

Figure 9 is a view in longitudinal section of another embodiment of the invention; i

Figures 10 and l1 are transverse sectional views taken on lines lll-I0 and of Figure 9, respectively; Figure 12 is a View in elevation of a lock hair pinor retainer adopted to be used with the curler Figure 16 is a similarview showingl the completed retainer combination pinning the curl i'n position;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a modified form of retainer for use without the'curler;

Figure 18 is a View similar to Figure 16 yshowing this modified form of retanerin applied Position; and Y I Y Figure 19 is a, fragmentary view in perspective of one end of the curler with a comb attachment applied thereto.

One embodiment of the novel hair curling irnplement is designated generally by the reference numeral Il) in the Figures 1-4 inclusive of the drawing and comprises a tapered iiuted rod having an end I I of enlarged diameter and a smaller end portion |2. The curler may be of polygonal cross section having a multiplicity of at sides or it may be provided with a series of flutes I4 extending longitudinally thereof.

Each of the operative portions |I and I2 is provided with kerfs or slits I5 which are preferably curved and extended from points on the sides of the device inwardly and longitudinally to the center line or axis and'adjacent the midpoint of the implement considered longitudinally.

For convenience in manufacture, especially in forming certain spring-retaining sockets or slots within the curved slits, the device may be made in two pieces as shown in Figure 2, in which the device is split along the two curved slits and through the center plane of the implement at the midportion. The two parts I6 and I1 of the center are complementary and similar in shape except for the difference in diameter of the operative end portions and I2. The two parts I6 and I1 are securely bound together at thel center by meansof the winding of varnished cord I I8 or by any other suitable means,such as a metal or plastic band. This securing means, especially when corrugated as when wound on as shown, provides a grip for easier handling of the curler no matter which end is being used. Y

To assist in retaining a strand of hair within the slits I5, there are provided leaf springs 20, the outer ends of which are secured at or adjacent the extreme ends of thedevice as by means of the pins 2| or similar fastenings. The springs are curved or sprung around the ends ofthe curler and enter the kerfs or slits I5. The springs press resiliently against the inner sur- Cil faces of the tongues forming the tapered extrernities of the two sections I6 and I1, and the inner ends of the leaf springs are retained in the sockets or slots 23 which form narrowerextensions of the kerfs I5. By this means, the springs are prevented from slipping sideways out of the kerfs.

During the` preparation of the coiffure, the operator has to use a comb for various purposes and in order to provide convenient means for having one handy or withinl reach vat all times, I have arranged the combination illustrated in Figure 5 in which the curler device III] is made ance with the size of the curl desired. When the hair has become dry and the curls have set, the coiifure is dressed out by combing or brushing in the way demanded by the particular style of hair dressing desired.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9-16 inclusive of the drawings and comprises a hollow curler designated by the numeral 2I0. The curler is preferably made in two interrltting parts 2|| and 2I2, the part 2|2 having a socket, formed by the cylindrical ange 230 and the wall 23|, into which the narrowed end 232 of the other part ts. The two parts 23|) and 232 may be cemented together. The tapered sections have polygonal outer surfaces as indicated at 2 I4, except that the central flange portion of the part 2|2 may be of a smooth cylindrical configuration.

The walls o1 each section are slitted as at 2|5 for the insertion of the strand of hair. The resilient retaining means in this embodiment comprises the sticks 220 which are preferably made of wood, for example, orange stick wood, and are tapered at each end. The inner ends 223 are oval in cross section and are forced into the correspondingly shaped registering openings 22| in the walls 23| and the` end portion 232 of the part 2| I. When correctly inserted as shown in Figure 9, the pins or sticks 220 will be prevented from twisting by the oval conguration of the intertting parts, and the free ends of the sticks will serve to resiliently clip the lock of hair within the slots 2I5 against the inner wall of the curler.

As described thus Iar the curler 2|0 may be employed precisely in the same way as illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings and described in connection therewith. However, another phase of the invention involves the use of certain lock hair pins or retainers which may be .applied to a curl wound upon the implement 2|0 to keep it curled until time to be loosened and dressed as the nal step in arranging the coiffure. A part of the retainer combination is illustrated at 227| in Figure 12 and comprises a doubled strip of paper or thin paper-board, widened to a triangular shaped .at the doubled portion as shown at 235. The parallel arms of the retainer are provided with a series of perforations 231.

Prior to each curl making operation, the members 221 are inserted into the hollow end of the curler 2 0 with the side wings of the widened end portion 235 passing through the slots 240 formed as part of the handle of a comb ||3 but is otherwise constructed in the same way as in the embodiments previously described, similar parts being Vdesignated by the same reference numerals to which |00 has been added.

In the utilization of the novel curling implement in forming pin curls, theend Of. a strand or lock of hair 25 is wedged into one. of the kerfs or slits |5, as shown in Figure 6, against the resilient pressureof the spring 20, and then the in the walls of the curler, as shown in Figure 14. The slot 24D flares somewhat at its Open end but decreases in width toward the inner end to grip the portion 235 of the retainer member 221rmly Y during the winding of the curl.

curler is twirled until the strand is wound up upon it to forma curl 26, as illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings. The curl is then slipped off of the end of the curler and secured inplace by means ofconventional pins .or clasps 21 as shown in Figure 8.

l Each curl of the area being treated is wound,

removed, and secured in the same way, one end or the other of the curler being used in accord- When the member 221 is attached to the curler 2II the strand of hair 225 is inserted in the slot 2I5 as indicated in Figure IfflA and the curl is wound as illustrated in Figure '7 in connection with the embodiment rst described. When the curl is completed as at 226, it is drawn off of the end of the implement 2|0 and in this movement it strikes the projecting Wings of the enlarged folded central .portion 235 of the member 221 and pulls this member from the curler with it, as clearly shown in Figure 13.

The curl 226 now is wound about the member 221 and the arms 236 separate as in Figure 15. Then these arms are spread outwardly in opposite directions and pressed downwardly upon the curl. When the retainer member 221 is thus attenedout, the pin 242 is threaded throughy the holes 231 as in Figure 16. The Winged intermediate portion 235 of the retainer underlies the curl and the pin 242 also passes through a portion of the upper portions thereof and the curl is thus securely maintained in proper shape until it is dried and dressed.

In Figures 17 and 18, there is illustrated a modified form of retainer comprising the folded perforated member 321 and the pin 342 which interlocks with the holes 331 in the member. This type of lock hair pin is adapted for use in securing hand made curls and are not formed with the winged portion as at 235 in the other embodiment. In applying this pin or retainer the folded end 335 is inserted in the center of the curl 326, the arms 336 are spread out, and the pin 342 threaded in and out through the openings 331 and through the convolutions of the curl itself.

Another comb and curler combination for the same purposes as the implement shown in Figure 5, is illustrated in Figure 19. The comb 2|3 is provided with a slit or bifurcated shank 250 the two parts of which are adapted to be sprung apart to resiliently grip the wall of the curler 210 at either end thereof. The comb is therefor readily separable from the curler when not needed and may be as readily applied to end of the curler which is not being used to form a curl.

By the use of the curler described herein, the time of applying the curls to the hair is reduced materially and this is accomplished without the use of expensive and complicated mechanical devices. The strand of hair is readily applied to the curler and released therefrom, but the spring device effectively prevents slipping of the strand while the device is being rotated to form the curl. The novel lock hair pins or retainers also effectively facilitate the preparation of the coiffure.

It is understood that various changes may be made in the exemplary embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the invention as dened in the `claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod having a slit cut in one of its sides and extending longitudinally of the rod, and resilient clamping means disposed Within said slit and bearing outwardly of the axis of said rod against a wall of the slit, said clamping means comprising a leaf spring secured at one of its ends to an extreme end of said rod, entering said slit, and extending longitudinally therein toward the center of said rod.

2. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod having a slit cut in one of its sides and extending longitudinally of the rod, and resilient clamping means disposed Within said slot and bearing outwardly of the axis of said rod against a wall of the slit, said clamping means comprising a leaf spring secured at one of its ends to an end of said rod, entering said slit, extending longitudinally therein toward the center of said rod, and having its other end received in a pocket formed at the inner end of said slit, and held against lateral displacement thereby.

3. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod formed of two members disposed side by side and in contact at their mid portions, said members being spaced apart slightly adjacent the ends of the curling implement to provide slits for the insertion of a strand of hair, strand windings closely coiled about the two parts adjacent said mid-portions and binding themvtogether, andresilient clamping means disposed within said slits. J

.4. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod formed of two substantially wedge-shaped membersdisposed side by side with their. similarly shaped ends extending in opposite directions, the larger ends of said members projecting longitudinally beyond the respective smaller ends of the other members at the respective ends of the curling implement, the two members being in contact at their mid portions but spaced apart upon either side of the mid point of the implement so as to provide slits between them which extend generally longitudi-v nally of the implement Vbut open outwardly laterally of the rod adjacent each end thereof.

5. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod formed of two substan-4 tially wedge-shaped members disposed side by side with their similarly shaped ends extending in opposite directions, the larger ends of said members projecting longitudinally beyond the respective smaller ends of the other members at the respective ends of the curling implement, the two members being in contact at their mid portions but spaced apart upon either side of the mid point of the implement so as to provide slits between them which extend generally longitudinally of the implement but open outwardly laterally of the rod adjacent each end thereof, and elongated springelements secured at their outer ends to the extremities of the larger endsof the wedge-shaped members, extending into the respective slits, and adaptedv to resiliently bear against the walls of the slits which are provided by the smaller ends of the wedge-shaped members.

6. A hair curling implement comprising a substantially cylindrical rod formed of two substantially wedge-shaped members disposed side by side with their similarly shaped ends extending in opposite directions, the larger ends of said members projecting longitudinally beyond the respective smaller ends of the other members lat the respective ends of the curling implement, the two members being in contact at their mid portions but spaced apart upon either side of the mid point of the implement so as to provide slits between them which extend generally longitudinally of the implement but open outwardly later ally of the rod adjacent each end thereof, elongated spring elements secured at their outer ends to the extremities of the larger ends of the Wedgeshaped members, extending into the respective slits, adapted to resiliently bear against the wall of the slits which are provided by the smaller ends of the wedge-shaped members, and narrow pockets formed in at least one of the members adjacent the contacting surfaces of their midportions for the reception and guiding of the other end of the spring elements.

7. A hair curling implement comprising an approximately cylindrical hollow rod having a slit cut in one of its side walls and extending generally longitudinally of the rod, resilient clamping means within said hollow rod, secured to the rod at one end, and resiliently pressing against the inner wall of the rod adjacent the slit, whereby a strand of hair to be curled around the rod may be gripped within the slit by said clamping means, said clamping means comprising a wooden stick secured within a socket formed at one end of the hollow interior of the rod.

8. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated rod, formed of two hollow aligned sec-I tionsjoined at adjacent ends, abutting end walls at the juncture each being provided with a pair of openings, each of said hollow sections having a slit in its side wall, and a resilient member within each hollow section, socketed firmly in one of said openings and bearing against the inner surface of the side wall of said section adjacent said slit, whereby a spring clamp for a lock of hair inserted in either slit is provided.

9. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated rod having clamping means for a lock of hair spaced from one end thereof and a peripheral surface between said clamping means and said end upon which a curl may be wound, a curl retaining element having lateral projections thereon removably attached to said end .portion of the rod and having a portion extending along the curl winding surface, whereby the wound curl may be slid off the end of the rod, abutting said projections, and carrying off the retaining element with it, and means for securing the element to the finished curl.

10. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated rod having clamping means for a lock of hair spaced from one end thereof and a peripheral surface between said clamping means and said end upon which a curl may be wound, a curl retaining element comprising a flat-folded strip, said rod end being provided with a longitudinal slit adapted to frictionally receive the overlapped end portions of said strip, the width of said end portions of the strip being not substantially greater than the diameter of said rod, the folded intermediate portion of the strip being wider than the rod and providing wings projecting laterally from the end of the rod, whereby when a curl is wound upon the rod it may be slid off the end thereof, abutting the wings of the strip and enveloping a portion of-the overlapped end portions, and a pin adapted to Ybe threaded through the said end portion of the strip and through portions of the curl to retain the curl in shape until ready to be dressed out.

11. A lock hair pin for securing pin curls in preparing a coiffure which comprises, in combination, an elongated flat strip of material creased transversely intermediate its ends to a V-shaped element having outwardly liaring arms, said creased portion adapted to enter the center of a curl and the arms to overlie the convolutions of the curl, and a pin element threaded through openings in said arms and through the strands of hair comprising the curl.

12. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated approximately cylindrical rod upon which a curl is wound and having clamping means for a lock of hair spaced from one end thereofA and a peripheral surface between said clamping means and said end, said clamping means comprising a kerf passing transversely entirely through the rod beginning at a point of entry on the side wall of said rod and passing substantially longitudinally thereof, and spring means within said kerf resiliently urged against a wall of the latter to retain a portion of a lock of hair therebetween.

13. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated hollow rod, a central transverse partition therein, a pair of openings in said par`H tition, said rod having Ya slit in its opposite side walls upon respective opposite sides of said central partition, two elongated resilient members within said hollow rod, each seated at one end in one of the openings in said partition and bearing against the inner surface of the side wall of said rod adjacent -one of said slits, whereby a spring clamp for a lock of hair inserted in either slit is provided.

14. A hair curling implement comprising an elongated rod having clamping means for a lock of hair spaced from one end thereof and a peripheral surface between said clamping means and said end upon which a curl may be wound, said clamping means comprising a kerf in the side wall of said rod and a spring clip within said kerf, a longitudinal slit in the end of said rod adapted to receive a curl retaining element, whereby a lock of hair may be clamped in the kerf, wound upon the rod about the retaining element and then slid ofi the end of the rod upon the retaining element. f

HENRY P. Rl SOMMERS. 

